HIV in the UK today

Living with HIV
now is a very different experience to what it was ten or twenty years ago. And
living with HIV in the UK is quite different to living with HIV in some other
parts of the world.

HIV treatment
has brought a longer, healthier life to tens of thousands of people. The UK’s
medical services for people with HIV are among the best in the world.

For many
people, HIV treatment has also significantly reduced the fear of HIV
transmission. Scientists are now confident that when people living with HIV are
taking treatment and have an undetectable viral load, they do not pass on HIV
to their sexual partners. Knowing this has had a profound impact on many
people’s experience of living with HIV.

“Knowing that I was undetectable and
that I couldn’t pass it on to anyone else put my mental state in a really good
place, it meant that sex was no longer a minefield.”

While public
understanding of the impact of HIV treatment on infectiousness is still
limited, there has been a general improvement in public attitudes in recent years. In most social groups, it is no longer
considered acceptable to display prejudice against people because of their
disability, ethnicity, gender or sexuality.

There have been
legal changes too. Since 2005, it has been illegal to discriminate against
people living with HIV, in areas like health care and employment. It is also
illegal to discriminate against a person because of their race, sexuality or
gender.

People living
with HIV are living full and productive lives and there are very few things
that you can’t do just because of an HIV diagnosis. Many people who are living with
HIV find that they are loved, accepted and supported by those close to them.

But people
living with HIV do still experience stigma, prejudice and discrimination. This
can often be the worst part of living with HIV.

It’s worth knowing
that stigma and discrimination are taken seriously by the organisations that
work for the rights and wellbeing of people living with HIV. There has been
progress tackling these issues, although more needs to be done.

“Don’t let HIV define who you are.”

To deal with
stigma and discrimination, it can be helpful to understand what causes them, to
think about ways of responding, and to find out where you can go for help and
support should you need it.

You’ve made a
good first step dealing with these issues by reading this booklet.

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap

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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends
checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member
of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.